Universities in Netherlands

Higher education in the Netherlands has two kinds of institution. Research universities (universiteiten) offer research-oriented programmes in an academic setting. Universities of applied sciences (hogescholen) focus on the practical application of arts and sciences, and internships are an important part of their programmes. According to Study in NL, the official study portal run by Nuffic, the research universities enrol some 240,000 students and the universities of applied sciences some 446,000.

Both types award bachelor's and master's degrees, and many teach complete programmes in English. Quality is checked by the NVAO, the accreditation body set up by the Dutch and Flemish governments: an institution must be officially recognised before it can award recognised degrees, and NVAO decisions underpin the recognition of each programme. In the 2025-26 academic year, for the first time in 20 years, the number of international students fell slightly, according to Nuffic.

How Dutch universities work

The two types differ in the length and focus of their degrees:

• Bachelor's at a research university (BA, BSc, LLB): 3 years, 180 credits
• Bachelor's at a university of applied sciences: 4 years, 240 credits, usually a first year (propedeuse) followed by three years
• Associate degree (Ad) at a university of applied sciences: 2 years
• Master's at a research university: at least 1 year (60 credits); 2 years (120 credits) for research master's, teacher training and engineering, mathematics, natural science and agriculture
• Master's at a university of applied sciences: 1 to 4 years, mostly part-time for people already working in the field
• PhD at a research university: 4 years

Research universities have between 6,000 and 30,000 students; the largest universities of applied sciences have 20,000 to 40,000. A research-oriented bachelor's prepares students for further study as well as for work, and almost all include a research methods course and a bachelor's thesis.

The schools listed on this page show the range. Leiden University was founded in 1575 and has campuses in Leiden and The Hague. The University of Groningen was founded in 1614, and Utrecht University traces its roots to 1636. Wageningen University & Research brings together Wageningen University and the Wageningen Research foundation. On the applied side, examples include The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS), HZ University of Applied Sciences in Vlissingen, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, the Christelijke Hogeschool Ede and Hotelschool The Hague, which specialises in hospitality.

Admission for international students

Each institution sets its own admission requirements, and they can differ between programmes. Nuffic, the Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education, publishes an overview of 100 education systems that shows how foreign school-leaving diplomas compare with Dutch ones. Students who do not yet meet the requirements can ask the institution about a preparatory year.

English-taught programmes require a passed English test. Institutions generally accept Cambridge English (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency), IELTS, LanguageCert, Pearson, TOEFL iBT and TOEIC, and each programme sets its own minimum score.

EU nationals do not need a visa. Students from other countries usually need a residence permit, and depending on nationality also an entry visa (MVV). According to the IND, the Dutch immigration service, only the educational institution can apply for the student residence permit, and the application costs €254. To keep the permit, students must obtain at least 50% of the credits for each study year. Students with this permit may work up to 16 hours a week, or full-time in June, July and August.

Costs and funding

For the 2026-27 academic year the statutory tuition fee is €2,694 a year. It applies to students from an EEA country, Switzerland or Surinam who do not yet hold a similar degree from a government-funded Dutch institution. Other students pay the institution's own fee: Study in NL gives averages of €9,000 to €20,000 a year for a bachelor's and €12,000 to €30,000 for a master's. Some institutions also charge non-EEA applicants an application fee of €75 to €100.

The NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship), financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the participating institutions, is open to non-EEA students starting a full-time bachelor's or master's. It is worth €5,000 in the first year and does not cover full tuition. The Orange Knowledge Programme ended in 2024, so universities' own scholarships are the main other option.

How to choose a Dutch university

• Type of degree: a research university for academic, research-based study; a university of applied sciences for a practical degree with internships
• Length: a 3-year academic bachelor's or a 4-year applied one, and a 1- or 2-year master's
• Language: check that the whole programme is taught in English and which test score it asks for
• Location: institutions are spread across the country, from Groningen in the north to Vlissingen in Zeeland; finding a room is hard, so start looking as soon as you are admitted
• Specialisation: some institutions focus on one field, such as hospitality at Hotelschool The Hague

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a research university and a university of applied sciences?

Research universities offer academic, research-oriented programmes, with a 3-year bachelor's. Universities of applied sciences (hogescholen) offer practical, profession-oriented programmes with internships, with a 4-year bachelor's.

How much does it cost to study at a Dutch university?

Students from the EEA, Switzerland or Surinam pay the statutory fee of €2,694 a year in 2026-27. Other students pay on average €9,000 to €20,000 a year for a bachelor's and €12,000 to €30,000 for a master's, according to Study in NL.

Can I study in English in the Netherlands?

Yes. Many bachelor's and master's programmes are taught in English. You need a passed English test such as IELTS, TOEFL iBT or Cambridge English, with the score set by the programme.

Do I need a visa to study in the Netherlands?

EU nationals do not. Other students usually need a residence permit, and some nationalities also an MVV entry visa. The university applies for the permit on the student's behalf.